Power driven hammer

ABSTRACT

A power hammer apparatus including a cart and a power hammer arrangement mounted at a front region of the cart. The power hammer arrangement including a reciprocating bit that contacts a working surface to break up the working surface as the power hammer is advanced by the power-driven cart.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The principles disclosed relate to the operation and use a tool forloosening and breaking apart flooring material. More particularly, thisdisclosure relates to the operation and use of a power hammer apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Working surfaces and flooring are made of a variety of materials,including concrete, wood, and tiling, for example. As the workingsurface ages, wear and cracks can arise requiring repair and/orreplacement of the surface. In repairing or replacing the workingsurface, large portions, and sometimes the entire working surface, mustbe removed. Removal of some working surfaces requires the use of ahammer, such as a jackhammer or power driven hammer.

Jackhamnmers and power driven hammers have an aggressive reciprocatingbit that is used to loosen or break apart a working surface. As can beunderstood, operation of such hammers can be physically challenging andlabor intensive. In general, improvement has been sought with respect tosuch machines or tools to better accommodate ease of use.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to an arrangement includinga power-driven cart and a power hammer arranged to remove or break apartflooring material. Another aspect of the present invention relates to amethod of removing or breaking apart flooring material that preferablyutilizes a power hammer arrangement advanced by a power-driven cart.

A variety of examples of desirable product features or methods are setforth in part in the description that follows, and in part will beapparent from the description, or may be learned by practicing variousaspects of the disclosure. The aspects of the disclosure may relate toindividual features as well as combinations of features. It is to beunderstood that both the foregoing general description and the followingdetailed description are explanatory only, and are not restrictive ofthe claimed invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a power hammerapparatus according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is front perspective view of a mounting bracket arrangement ofthe power hammer apparatus shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a partial front elevation view a cart of the power hammerapparatus shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference now to the various figures in which identical elementsare numbered identically throughout, a description of various exemplaryaspects of the present invention will now be provided.

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a power hammer apparatus 10 havingfeatures that are examples of how inventive aspects in accordance withthe principles of the present disclosure may be practiced. Preferredfeatures are adapted for easing the physically challenging and laborintensive operation of power hammers.

In general, the power hammer apparatus 10 includes a carrier or cart 12having wheels 14 (only one wheel shown). The cart 12 is preferably apower-driven cart 12. That is, the cart 12 includes a propulsion system,such as a motor and a drive mechanism, that is controlled by an operatorduring use of the apparatus 10. One suitable power-driven cart ismanufactured by NuStar of Shakopee, Minn.

The cart 12 has a front region 16 and a rear region 18. For purposes ofclarification, the front region 16 of the power hammer apparatus 10refers to the portion of the apparatus farthest from the operator duringuse, and the rear region 18 of the power hammer apparatus 10 refers tothe portion of the apparatus closest to the operator during use. A powerhammer arrangement 20 is mounted at the front region 16 of the cart 12.During operation of the apparatus 10, the operator drives or advancesthe power hammer arrangement 20 along a working surface 50 via thepower-driven cart 12. One such working surface 50 can include a concreteworking surface, for example. The power hammer arrangement 20 isarranged to break up the concrete working surface as the arrangement 20is advanced by the power-driven cart 12.

Although reference is made throughout the present disclosure to the useof the present apparatus 10 on a concrete working surface, it can beappreciated that the disclosed power hammer apparatus 10 can be used onother types of working surfaces. For example, the power hammerarrangement can be used to break up ceramic tiling or asphalt, or removelinoleum and wood flooring as well.

The cart 12 shown in FIG. 1 generally includes a main body 22 and ahandle portion 26. In the illustrated embodiment, the motor and thedrive mechanism of the power-driven cart 12 are enclosed within the mainbody 22. In other arrangements, the motor and drive mechanism may simplybe mounted to a main body frame without being enclosed. The handleportion 26 of the cart 12 extends outward from the main body 22 of thecart. A drive lever 28 extending from the handle portion 26 is used toengage and disengage the drive mechanism to control the drive of themechanically-driven wheels 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the wheels14 include large rubber wheels that grip the working surface 50 to poweror drive the cart 12 along the working surface 50 during operation ofthe apparatus 10. The wheels 14 may include other types of wheelsadapted to provide non-slip driving power during operation. Otheroperating controls 30 are also located on the handle portion 26 at therear region 18 of the cart 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the power hammer arrangement 20 includesa power hammer 40 detachably mounted at the front region 16 of the cart12 by a mounting bracket arrangement 42. What is meant by “power” hammeris that impact from the hammer is not manually generated, but rather isgenerated either electrically or hydraulically. The power hammer 40 mayinclude hand-held power hammers commonly used in the industry. What ismeant by “hand-held” is that the power hammer 40 is capable of operatingapart and separate from the cart 12, i.e., independently of the cart 12.

In the illustrated embodiment, the power hammer 40 is an electric,hand-held power hammer having a 35-lb impact rating. Suitable electric,hand-held power hammers are sold by Metabo Inc., of Germany. Suchhand-held power hammers generally include a housing 44 having a handle46, an electric motor contained within the housing 44, and aninterchangeable, reciprocating bit 48 powered by the electric motor. Theillustrated electric hand-held power hammer 40 also includes anoperating switch 52 electrically connected to a power cord 54. In oneembodiment, the power cord 54 can be run from the power hammer 40 to atoggle switch 32 located at the rear region 18 of the cart 12. The powercord 54 is electrically connected to the toggle switch 32 so that theoperator can operate the power hammer 40 from the rear region 18 of thecart 12. Other hand-held power hammer configurations may be used inaccordance with the principles disclosed.

In operation, the operator switches on the power hammer 40 to activatethe reciprocating bit 48. The operator then drives the power-driven cart12 such that the power hammer 40 is advanced along the working surface50 by the power-driven cart while breaking up the working surface infront of the cart. As can be understood, the large rubber wheels 14 ofthe cart 12 assist in traversing the loosened or broken up material ofthe working surface.

The present apparatus 10, including the hand-held power hammer 40carried and transported during operation by the power-driven cart 12,reduces operator fatigue; yet the operator can still remove the powerhammer 40 from the cart 12 to manually operate the hammer in hard toaccess areas. The removability of the power hammer 40 also permits anoperator to easily replace or repair the power hammer. While it ispreferred to detachably mount the power hammer 40 to the cart 12,permanent mounting configurations can also be used.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the reciprocating bit 48 of the power hammer40 includes a blade 56. The blade 56 is designed to break up concrete orotherwise loosen flooring material. The blade 56 can be made ofstainless steel, or any other hardened and tempered steel having astructural strength sufficient to break up the particular workingsurface. In another embodiment, the blade 56 can be structurallystrengthened by a hardened material or compound adhered or bonded to theblade 56.

As shown in FIG. 1, the blade 56 and the bit 48 are oriented at anon-perpendicular angle A relative to the working surface 50. In mostapplications, the angle A of the blade 56 and bit 48 relative to theworking surface 50 ranges from about 10 degrees to 75 degrees.Typically, the angle A is between about 30 degrees to 60 degrees.

Referring to FIG. 2, the power hammer 40 is mounted to the power-drivencart 12 by a bracket frame 68 of the mounting bracket arrangement 42. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the bracket frame 68 of the mounting bracketarrangement 42 detachably mounts to a mounting plate 84 (FIG. 1) locatedat the front region 16 of the cart 12. As shown in FIG. 3, the mountingplate 84 includes a sleeve 88 affixed to the mounting plate 84 by anangle bracket 78. When the bracket frame 68 is coupled to the mountingplate 84 of the cart 12, the sleeve 88 fits between vertical supports108, 110 (FIG. 2) of the bracket frame 68.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the bracket frame 68 of the mountingarrangement 42 includes a mounting flange 80. The mounting flange 80hooks onto a top edge 82 (FIG. 1) of the mounting plate 84 to detachablysecure the power hammer arrangement 20 to the cart 12. That is, themounting flange 80 attaches to the mounting plate 84 such that a flangelip 104 (FIG. 2) inserts within a gap G (FIGS. 1 and 3) between the cart12 and the mounting plate 84.

When the flange 80 is attached to the mounting plate 84, the sleeve 88(FIG. 3) of the mounting plate 84 aligns with holes 92 (FIG. 2) formedin the vertical supports 108, 110 of the bracket frame 68. A pin or rod94 (FIGS. 1 and 3) is inserted through the holes 92 of the bracket frame68 and the sleeve 88 to secure the power hammer arrangement 20 to thecart 12. To detach or remove the power hammer arrangement 20 from thecart 12, the rod 94 is removed from the sleeve 88 and the power hammerarrangement 20 is lifted from the mounting plate 84.

In the preferred embodiment, the power hammer 40 is pivotally mounted tothe power-driven cart 12 by the detachable mounting bracket arrangement42. That is, preferably, the blade 56 and bit 48 can be selectivelyoriented at the angle A relative to the working surface 50.

In particular, the mounting bracket arrangement 42 includes first andsecond pivoting attachments 60, 62 (FIG. 1). The first pivotingattachment 60 is defined by first and second primary alms 64, 66 (FIG.2) extending outward from the bracket frame 68. The second pivotingattachment 62 is defined by first and second secondary arms 74, 76extending outward from the bracket frame 68.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first pivoting attachment 60 defined bythe primary arms 64, 66 couples to the housing 44 of the power hammer40. In particular, fasteners, such as bolts 96 (only one shown in FIG.1), extend through holes 98 (FIG. 2) formed in the primary arms 64, 66,and thread into threaded holes (not shown) formed in the power hammerhousing 44. The threaded holes formed in the power hammer housing 44 aretypically pre-tapped for the attachment of handles (not shown) formanual use. If existing threaded holes are not provided in the housing44, such holes can be made for attachment to the mounting bracketarrangement 42. In the illustrated embodiment, three holes 98 areprovided in each of the first and second primary arms 64, 66 of themounting bracket arrangement 42. As will be described in greater detailhereinafter, the multiple holes 98 accommodate the angular adjustabilityfeature of the present hammer arrangement 20.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the second pivoting attachment 62 isdefined by the secondary arms 74, 76. The secondary arms 74, 76 arecoupled to a pivoting lever arm 100. The pivoting lever arm 100 includesa collet 102 that couples around a front nose portion 106 of the housing44 of the power hammer 40.

The multiple holes 98 of the primary arms 64, 66 and the pivoting leverarn 100 coupled to the secondary arms 74, 76 define the pivotingattachments 60, 62 that permit a user to selectively pivot the hammer40. That is, the hammer 40 can be selectively mounted at one of thethree holes 98 to adjust the angle A of the bit 48 in relation to theworking surface 50.

For example, to operate the apparatus 10 with a less aggressive shearingforce, the power hammer 40 is mounted at an uppermost hole of themultiple holes 98 formed in the first and second primary arms 64, 66.This lifts a head portion 108 of the power hammer 40 upward whiletilting the nose portion 106 of the power hammer downward to create alarge angle A between the reciprocating bit 48 and the working surface.The pivoting lever arm 100 is designed to follow the tilt of the housing44 corresponding to the selected positioning of the head portion 108 ofthe power hammer 40. In contrast, to operate the apparatus 10 with amore aggressive shearing force, the power hammer 40 can be mounted at alowermost hole of the multiple holes 98 formed in the first and secondprimary arms 64, 66. This lowers the head portion 108 of the powerhammer 40 while tilting the nose portion 106 of the power hammer upwardto create a smaller angle A between the reciprocating bit 48 and theworking surface.

As can be understood, utilizing bits 48 having different shaft lengthsalso changes the angle A of the blade 56 and the bit 48 relative to theworking surface 50. That is, an operator can adjust the angle A of theblade 56 and bit 48 relative to the working surface by using bits withshorter or longer shafts. In the alternative, the operator can adjustthe length of the shaft 110 (FIG. 1) of the reciprocating bit 48 byinsert the bit farther into the collet of the power hammer 40. Thisincreases the angle A of the bit and reduces the shearing forceproduced. Likewise, the operator can locate the blade 56 of the bit 48farther from the collet of the hammer 40 to lessen the angle A andincrease the shearing force produced.

While the illustrated embodiment discloses the use of a bit having asingle blade 56, other types of tools or bits used in a reciprocatingmanner can be used. In one alternative embodiment, the bit can include aplow piece located at the end of a shaft. The plow piece can be used toclean joints or cracks formed in a working surface, for example.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the wheels 14 of the power hammer apparatus 10are located a distance rearward of a center fulcrum F of the cart 12.The center fulcrum of the cart 12 is the fulcrum at which the cart'sweight is evenly distributed forward and rearward of the fulcrum.Because the wheels 14 are rearwardly offset from the center fulcrum F,the cart 12 has a tendency to tip or tilt forward. Accordingly, the bit48 of the power hammer arrangement 20 acts to stabilize and balance thepower hammer apparatus 10 during operation. The blade 56 of the powerhammer arrangement 20 thereby carries a portion of the weight of thecart 12. The portion of the cart's weight carned by the blade 56provides a downward force that, coupled with a driving force of the cart12, effectively controls the reciprocating impacts produced by the powerhammer 40.

Because the cart is automated, that is, power driven, operation of thepower hammer is made significantly less laborious than conventionalmanual operation. The operator can simply walk behind the cart 12 of thepower hammer apparatus 10 while controlling the forward drive anddirection the power hammer arrangement 20.

As previously described, the devices and methods of the presentdisclosure can be used in breaking up concrete surfaces. It iscontemplated that the principles relating to the disclosed devices andmethods can also be used in other applications, such as the removal ofcarpet, tile, linoleum, wooden flooring, and ice from outdoor surfaces.

The above specification, examples and data provide a completedescription of the invention. Since many embodiments of the inventioncan be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.

1. A power hammer apparatus, comprising: a) a power-driven cart having afront region and a rear region, the cart including controls located atthe rear region of the cart for driving the cart along a workingsurface; and b) a power hammer mounted at the front region of thepower-driven cart, the power hammer including a reciprocating bit thatcontacts the working surface during operation of the power hammerapparatus.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power hammer is ahand-held power hammer mounted at the front region of the power-drivencart.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the hand-held power hammerincludes a housing having a handle portion and an operating switch foruse of the power hammer independent of the cart.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein the hand-held power hammer is an electrical powerhammer, the operating switch being electrically connected to a powercord.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power hammer is pivotallymounted at the front region of the power-driven cart.
 6. The apparatusof claim 5, wherein the bit of the power hammer is selectively orientedat an angle of between about 30 degrees and 60 degrees relative to theworking surface.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5, further including adetachable mounting bracket arrangement configured to pivotally mountthe power hammer at the front region of the power-driven cart.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 7, wherein the detachable mounting bracketarrangement includes first and second primary arms that couple to thepower hammer at a pivot location.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, whereinthe detachable mounting bracket arrangement further includes a colletthat couples around a nose portion of the power hammer.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein the detachable mounting bracketarrangement includes secondary arms, the collet being pivotallyconnected to the secondary arms of the detachable mounting bracketarrangement.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, further including wheelsattached to the power-driven cart, the wheels being located rearward ofa center fulcrum of the power-driven cart so that a portion of thecart's weight provides a downward force on the bit of the power hammer.12. A method of breaking up a working surface, the method comprising thesteps of: a) coupling a hand-held power hammer to a power-driven cart;b) angling the hand-held power hammer in a selected angular orientationrelative to a working surface; c) securing the hand-held power hammer inthe selected angular orientation; and d) advancing the power hammeralong the working surface with the power-driven cart while operating thesecured power hammer, wherein a reciprocating bit of the power hammercontacts the working surface to break up the working surface as thehand-held power hammer is advanced by the power-driven cart.
 13. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the step of operating the power hammerincludes switching on a switch of the power hammer, the switch beingelectrically connected to a power cord.
 14. The method of claim 12,wherein the step of angling the hand-held power hammer includes anglingthe power hammer at an angle of between about 30 degrees and 60 degreesrelative to the working surface.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein thestep of coupling the hand-held power hammer includes pivotally mountingthe hand-held power hammer to a mounting bracket arrangement, andfurther detachably mounting the mounting bracket arrangement to thepower-driven cart.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step ofsecuring the hand-held power hammer in the selected angular orientationincludes securing the power hammer at one of a plurality of pivotlocation defined by the mounting bracket arrangement.
 17. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the step of pivotally mounting the hand-held powerhammer to the mounting bracket includes positioning a pivoting colletabout a nose portion of the power hammer.
 18. A method of breaking up aworking surface, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing apower-driven cart having a front region and a rear region, thepower-driven cart further including mechanically-driven wheels andoperating controls that control the drive of the mechanically-drivenwheels, the operating controls being located at the rear region of thecart; b) providing a power hammer mounted at the front region of thecart; c) securing the power hammer in a selected angular orientationrelative to a working surface; and d) advancing the power hammer alongthe working surface with the power-driven cart while operating thesecured power hammer, wherein a reciprocating bit of the power hammercontacts the working surface to break up the working surface as thepower hammer is advanced by the power-driven cart.
 19. The method ofclaim 18, further including operating the power hammer independent ofthe cart.